CVE-2003-1216 in phpBB
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in search.php for phpBB 2.0.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL and gain privileges via the search_id parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-1216 represents a critical sql injection flaw within the phpBB forum software version 2.0.6 and earlier. This security weakness exists in the search.php script which processes user input without proper sanitization or validation. The vulnerability specifically affects the search_id parameter, which is directly incorporated into sql queries without adequate input filtering mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious sql commands within the search_id parameter, potentially allowing them to execute unauthorized database operations and gain elevated privileges within the affected system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which categorizes sql injection as a code injection technique where untrusted data is embedded into sql queries. The flaw demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding practices that are fundamental to preventing sql injection attacks. The search.php script fails to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied input before incorporating it into database queries, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can manipulate the sql execution flow. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous for web applications that rely on user input for database operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft to encompass complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary sql commands against the underlying database, potentially gaining access to sensitive user information, forum configuration data, and administrative credentials. The vulnerability enables privilege escalation scenarios where attackers can elevate their access rights from regular forum users to administrators, thereby controlling the entire forum system. Additionally, attackers may perform data modification operations, delete critical forum content, or even inject malicious code that persists within the database environment. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that phpBB was widely deployed forum software, meaning numerous vulnerable systems could be targeted simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-1216 should focus on immediate patching of the affected phpBB versions to the latest stable releases that contain proper input validation and sql injection protection mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper parameterized queries or prepared statements in all database interactions to prevent sql injection vulnerabilities from occurring in the first place. Input validation should be enforced at multiple layers including application-level sanitization, web application firewalls, and database-level access controls. Regular security auditing and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within legacy applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, emphasizing the need for proper network segmentation and monitoring of database access patterns to detect anomalous sql query execution that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also implement proper access controls and privilege separation to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.